Not only will defenceman Matt Carkner return to the Senators lineup from a knee injury that has kept him out since Feb. 26, centre Peter Regin is also going to suit up for the first time since Oct. 22 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Regin has been sidelined with a shoulder injury and the timetable was 6-to-8 weeks so he’s pretty close to where he was supposed to return.

“I’m excited to get back out there. It’s been a while and I’ve been looking forward to this day,” said Regin Saturday morning. “I’ve been off for a while. You have a lot of time to refocus and think about a lot of things.

“Usually you’re nervous about getting back in there. I’ve had so much time, I think I’m ready mentally.” Regin said getting up to speed will be tough.

“You have to get up to the pace no matter how you practice or how you skate,” said Regin. “You have to get into game tempo and get used to that.

Vancouver is one of the fast teams in the league, so it’ll take a couple of shifts.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

The Senators will scratch centre Zenon Konopka and winger Nikita Filatov with Regin back. Expect Filatov to be sent down or back to the KHL soon.

Defenceman Sergei Gonchar is day-to-day with an upper body injury. Coach Paul MacLean said Gonchar shouldn’t be out for an extended period.

Craig Anderson will make the start for the Senators while Roberto Luongo will be in net for the Canucks.